Cornelius Abson, 36, was arrested late Wednesday and told cops that he was sorry for what he did. Abson, who has 11 prior arrests and is a suspect in 11 similar attacks, choked 85-year-old Lillian France until she crumpled to the elevator floor on Aug. 14.

"He's sorry he got caught," sources told the Daily News. "He wasn't sorry when he was choking the lady."

France was in Prospect Park visiting her niece when Abson -- who detectives believe followed her home from a bank on Eastern Parkway -- attacked her.